Whille cross country runners often play soccer in the winter season as a second sport, one wouldn’t think distance-running talent would translate into sprinting success on the pitch.

Redlands freshman Karen Jacobs, then, is a unique talent that could lead the Terriers for several years to come.

Jacobs is one of the Terriers’ fastest players and has a burst of speed that is nearly unmatched. Much of Redlands’ offense goes through Jacobs, who leads the team with 16 goals.

On Wednesday, she scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Redlands East Valley that clinched at least a share of the Citrus Belt League title. On several occasions, Jacobs nearly beat the REV defense by simply speeding past the back line on long lob passes.

“It makes the (opppsing) defense think more, because they don’t want to let her slip in behind them,” Terriers coach Jennifer Classen said. “They’re trying to contain her and keep everything in front of her.”

In the fall, Jacobs led Redlands to a postseason berth and finished second at Citrus Belt League finals, by nine seconds, to Yucaipa’s Tori Dutchover. The Terriers went on to advance to the CIF-SS Finals meet, placing 12th in Division 2; Jacobs was 18th individually and just missed qualifying for the state meet.

“In cross country, I’ve always used my kick at the end (of races),” Jacobs said. “And I feel like I’m pretty good at sprinting.”

SUPER SOLIS

Temecula Chaparral found the right fit in coach Heidi Solis.

Solis, a longtime club coach in Southwest County, led the Pumas to an impressive one-season turnaround, as they went went from finishing fifth in the Southwestern League last season to a league title this year, capped by a 1-0 victory over Vista Murrieta on Thursday.

Solis wasn’t the original choice to replace Maury Cauchon – the school actually hired back founding coach Jenny Lawlor before that move fell through last summer.

Solis said Chaparral has always had plenty of talent. The difference this season was the team simply put it all together.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” she said after Thursday’s win. “All these girls, every one of them, are special.”

ROLL CALL

Most Inland-area league championships have been won. The CIF Southern Section playoff pairings will be released Monday.

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